Batwoman's returning to her own solo ongoing in 2017, written by Marguerite Bennett with art by Steve Epting.

This is about as exciting a creative team as Batwoman could possibly have. Bennett already writes an alternate version of Kate Kane in DC Comics Bombshells, and in that and her other books like Insexts and Angela: Queen of Hell, she has not only proven herself to be one of the most talented young writers on the rise, she's also shown a particular interest in portraying the lives of queer women, all of which makes her the ideal choice for Batwoman.

Steve Epting is an industry veteran, whose realistic style received particular attention on Fantastic Four with Jonathan Hickman and Captain America with Ed Brubaker. Only the one image of Batwoman by Epting has been released so far, but it's a promising glimpse of how great she's going to look.

The new Batwoman series will spin out of a two-part story in Detective Comics, which will be co-written by Bennett and Detective writer James Tynion IV. Tynion will also be co-writer on the opening arc of Batwoman. The new series starts with a Rebirth one-shot in February, followed by Batwoman #1 in March.

Here's the official word from DC's press release:

Readers of the current DETECTIVE COMICS run have seen firsthand the prominent role that Kate Kane, a.k.a. Batwoman, plays in training Spoiler, Orphan, Clayface, Red Robin and even Nightwing—the next generation of Gotham City’s protectors. This February, Marguerite Bennett (DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS, BATGIRL, EARTH 2: WORLD’S END) will be writing the new adventures of the heroine in an ongoing monthly series scheduled to debut in February 2017, with art by Steve Epting – his first work for DC in more than fifteen years. As part of the next wave of REBIRTH titles, the February title will be a REBIRTH-themed one-shot, with a new issue #1 to follow in March.

“Batwoman is yet another example of the character depth, richness and diversity present in Gotham City,” said Batman Group Editor Mark Doyle. “Fans have really responded to her role in DETECTIVE COMICS, and we all love Kate here in the Bat-office, so that made it an easy choice to return her to a solo series.”

As a preface to her new solo adventures, Bennett will join James Tynion IV on “Batwoman Begins,” a two-issue story arc in DETECTIVE COMICS. Following the Night of the Monster Men, Batwoman and Batman discover that the venom from the defeated monsters’ corpses is being sold as a bioweapon. After Batwoman comes face to face with the villain responsible, Batman gives Batwoman a mission that takes her around the world, creating the backdrop for her new solo series in February, whose first story arc will also be co-written by Bennett and Tynion IV.

"There has never been a heroine I have loved more than Batwoman,” said Bennett. “Her flaws, her ferocity, her struggle to rise above her own history and find a way to serve the greater good and those she loves—she's always cut me straight to the bone. To be a queer woman and to see a queer woman as not just a part but a pillar of the Bat-family was life changing, inspiring and gave me the courage to pursue this career in comics. The opportunity to add to Kate Kane's story and legacy is both an honor and a sincere dream come true."

“I am very excited for the opportunity to work on Batwoman,” said Epting. “I love the character design and how she fits into the whole Batman mythos, and I’m looking forward to the artistic opportunities the story will provide. Batwoman has a rich visual history and I’m thrilled to be a part of it!”

 

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